Chapter 3.1 Business and the Internet{0}
It started with Cupcake. Then came Donut, followed by Éclair. Now we are in the era of Froyo. Are these delicious treats? No. I am talking about the Android mobile operating system developed by Google. The newest Android OS 2.2, “Froyo”, was released earlier this summer and has already garnered a lot of attention. According to one of the articles I read, “…28.7 percent of all Android devices are now running version 2.2 of the operating system, with the largest percentage of growth (by purchase or by updates) occurring within the month of August” (Murphy 2010).
Not only are those numbers amazing, but the Android OS is increasing in shares, while its competitors, Apple and RIM, are showing decreases.
This chart shows that Android has seen an increase of shares by 17% on the year so far, (Raphael 2010).
In section 3.1, we discuss sustaining technology. As defined by Baltzan Philips in Business Driven INFORMATION SYSTEMS “a sustaining technology produces an improved product customers are eager to buy, such as a faster car or larger hard drive…tend to provide us with better, faster, and cheaper products in established markets.”
I see the Android platform and its updated software as a sustaining technology. The original was produced about four years ago. Instead of creating a whole new platform, Google decided to release updates every year. As you can see from the chart, customers are eager to get their hands on a new Android based phone or update the one they have. For example, I went out in June and purchased the HTC EVO 4g. It is my first Android phone and came with version 2.1, “Éclair”. When the update was available August 3rd, I updated my phone so I could have the better features Froyo promised. I am a fan of the Android OS and can’t wait till Gingerbread gets released later this year.
David Murphy
9/12/2010
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369031,00.asp
J.R. Raphael
9/4/2010
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/205307/android_overtaking_iphone_and_blackberry_with_plenty_of_room_to_grow.html